Chris Martinis speaking out for the first time since he andGwyneth Paltrowannouncedtheir "conscious uncoupling.""Everyone in their life goes through challenges, whether it's love or money or kids or illness," Martin toldBBC Radio 1.Last month, the coupleposted on Paltrow'sGOOP websitethat they ...

"Everyone in their life goes through challenges, whether it's love or money or kids or illness," Martin told BBC Radio 1.

Last month, the couple posted on Paltrow's GOOP website that they had decided to separate. "We have been working hard for well over a year, some of it together, some of it separated, to see what might have been possible between us, and we have come to the conclusion that while we love each other very much we will remain separate."

When asked whether Martin's upcoming album "Ghost Stories" was about the breakdown of his 10-year marriage, the singer demurred. "I wouldn't use the word breakdown," he said. "This was more a realization about trying to grow up basically. Like I said, if you can't open yourself up, you can't appreciate the wonder inside. So, you can be with someone very wonderful, but because of your own issues you cannot let that be celebrated in the right way."

The full interview will air Monday night on BBC Radio 1. Watch Martin's mentor on a recent episode of The Voicehere.